Urine tests, which are performed routinely as specimens can be collected without inflicting pain on patients at all, give plenty of information about health conditions quickly thanks to the recent advances in techniques for urinalysis. Nonetheless, the constituents of urine are liable to change, and so prompt examination is necessary. In the case of inpatients, it sometimes happens that examinations begin several hours after specimen collection. Behind this, there is no time frame set for collecting urine specimens which makes it difficult to deliver specimens to the examination room without delay.　　In this study, we investigated longitudinal changes in the contents of urine specimens voided by inpatients under some specific conditions. Furthermore, we examined the effects of those intestinal bacteria (E.coli, Proteus), which are often detected in urine, on glycosuria, and the changes in nitrite reduction reaction.　　Our findings showed that urine specimens containing such physiological and pathological factors as to influence urine tests were particularly subject to change with the passage of time. Therefore, when there is a need to preserve the specimens, chilled storage using a lidded container is required. It was slso found that between E -coli and Proteus in the urine a considerable difference was noted in time-dependent change of glycolysis and nitrite reduction reaction.

Background: Everolimus is a molecularly targeted drug for renal cell carcinoma. It is also approved for pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors ("PNET") and tuberous sclerosis complex ("TSC") in Japan and frequently associated with stomatitis, one of the most common adverse reactions. However, the mechanism of the onset of stomatitis has not been elucidated, and no reports have been published on appropriate prophylaxis against everolimus-induced stomatitis. Method: In the Department of Urology, Yamagata University Hospital, gargling with sodium azulene sulfonate has been used prophylactically since October 2010, when oral treatment with everolimus was first administered at our hospital. In this study, the preventive effect of gargling with sodium azulene sulfonate on stomatitis was evaluated in 21 patients receiving everolimus. Result: The incidence of stomatitis was 53.3% (Grade 3/4: 0%) in the intervention group and 83.3% (Grade 3/4: 16.7%) in the non-intervention group; patients treated in October 2010 or earlier. The grade of severity was significantly lower in the intervention group (Median grade: 1 vs. 2, p<0.05; Mann-Whitney’s U test). However, there was no difference in the time of onset between the two groups. Discussion: Sodium azulene sulfonate effectively prevented stomatitis probably because it not only has anti-inflammatory and mucosal protective effects, but also promotes wound healing. Further detailed analysis will be required in more patients.

BACKGROUND: The facial expression of medical staff has been known to greatly affect the psychological state of patients, making them feel uneasy or conversely, cheering them up. By clarifying the characteristics of facial expression recognition ability in patients with Lewy body disease, the aim of this study is to examine points to facilitate smooth communication between caregivers and patients with the disease whose cognitive function has deteriorated. METHODS: During the period from March 2016 to July 2017, we examined the characteristics of recognition of the six facial expressions of "happiness," "sadness," "fear," "anger," "surprise," and "disgust" for 107 people aged 60 years or more, both outpatient and inpatient, who hospital specialists had diagnosed with Lewy body diseases of Parkinson's disease, Parkinson's disease with dementia, and dementia with Lewy bodies. Based on facial expression recognition test results, we classified them by cluster analysis and clarified features of each type. RESULTS: In patients with Lewy body disease, happiness was kept unaffected by aging, age of onset, duration of the disease, cognitive function, and apathy; however, recognizing the facial expression of fear was difficult. In addition, due to aging, cognitive decline, and apathy, the facial expression recognition ability for sadness and anger decreased. In particular, cognitive decline reduced recognition of all of the facial expressions except for happiness. The test accuracy rates were classified into three types using the cluster analysis: "stable type," "mixed type," and "reduced type". In the "reduced type", the overall facial recognition ability declined except happiness, and in the mixed type, recognition ability of anger particularly declined. CONCLUSION There were several facial expressions that the Lewy body disease patients were unable to accurately identify. Caregivers are recommended to make an effort to compensate for such situations with language or body contact, etc., as a way to convey correct feeling to the patients of each type.
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Cluster Analysis ; Cognition ; physiology ; Emotions ; Facial Expression ; Facial Recognition ; physiology ; Female ; Humans ; Lewy Body Disease ; physiopathology ; psychology ; Male ; Middle Aged